Political divisions in the country have stoked tensions [AFP]

A security official said that clashes began between the pro-government Bab al-Tabbaneh and pro-opposition Jabal Mohsen districts late on Tuesday and intensified on Wednesday morning.

The official said: "A resident of the Jabal Mohsen district and a passer-by caught in crossfire were killed on Wednesday in clashes that also wounded 32 people."

"The wounded belong to both the Sunni and Alawite rival camps."

He said that forces were ordered "to increase patrols, arrest anyone who threatens the public security even if the use of force is necessary".

One Tripoli resident, who asked not to be identified, told a local news agency: "All of a sudden hell broke loose."

Fractious region

The road separating the two districts was the site of sectarian fighting two weeks ago that left nine dead and 45 injured.

Officials told the Agence-France Presse news agency that fighting broke out at about 9.20pm (1830 GMT), beginning with some explosions.

The clashes intensified and subsided within an hour.

However, witnesses said that at about 4.30am (0130 GMT) on Wednesday morning rockets and machine gun fire could be heard.

Previous fighting

Bab al-Tabbaneh is a majority Sunni area who support the government, which is backed by the West and most Arab nations.

The majority of Jabal Mohsen support the Syrian and Iranian-backed opposition from the Shia Alawite Muslim sect.

Fighting in May in different parts of Lebanon had raised the spectre of civil war. The battles in Tripoli two weeks ago was the worst violence seen since that time.

Political parties are currently working to form a government of national unity, part of a deal brokered in Doha, the Qatari capital, on May 21.

Disagreement over government posts has prevented the government from being formed so far.

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